A 2,500 gallon off-road tanker, now identified as SU 48, was purchased by the rural fire board for use by the Sutherland Volunteer Fire Department, and made possible as a result of combined resources.

The new unit will fill a need in Sutherland and surrounding communities in suppressing wildfires.

SU 48 was acquired by the Nebraska State Forest Service through the U.S. Department of Defense’s reclaim program.

SU 48 will be used to provide an off-road tanker with a very large water capacity to refill smaller grass rigs, enabling the trucks to remain on the scene; and provide a source for airplane refilling by using 3-inch and 1-3/4 inch attack lines.

It will also perform ground sweeps and be able to draft water, the Sutherland fire department said in a news release.

Sutherland’s Rural Fire Board discussed the project and set a budget to cover the cost of the requirements set by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Nebraska State Forest Service.

Members of the Sutherland Volunteer Fire Department painted the truck, added lights and sirens, provided shelter to house the truck and ensured the truck could be placed into operation within six months.

Fire department members spent more than 1,000 hours of volunteer labor. Supplies and materials were purchased in part by the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation, with a grant of $5,000 to purchase a remote controlled monitor.

The remaining funds were raised from fund raising activities throughout the year, as well as from the rural fire board.

The Sutherland Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank those who helped make this possible, including Morey’s Diesel, Becker Auto, Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation, Hi-Line Cooperative, Danko, Pro-Printing and Graphics, the Nebraska State Forest Service, the Sutherland Rural Fire Board and the Sutherland community.